Results compiled by Kay Burk from Chevrolet Racing reports
Photos by James Drew and Tim Marshall

Jimmie Johnson picked up 190 points for his win at the Sheby American. (James Drew photo)

Jimmie Johnson took his No. 48 Lowe's/Kobalt Tools Impala to victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) on Feb. 28. His victory in the Shelby American was his second consecutive win in 2010 and his fourth victory on the 1.5-mile track.

In scoring his 49th career win, the four-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) champion became the all-time winning driver on 1.5-mile tracks. The trip to victory lane moved Johnson to 12th on the NSCS all-time race win list, one race behind NASCAR greats Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson. He jumped seven spots in the standings to fifth with today's win.

Johnson's win was the fifth win for Team Chevy at LVMS and the third straight trip to victory lane for the BowTie Brigade in 2010.

Asked about his day, Johnson said he was “really proud of the car we brought to the track. We had to work on it some through the race. But, you know, it was so fast on the long haul that we could make up ground from the 20th place starting position we had. Worked up into the top 10. Worked up into the top five. At parts of the race, kind of stuck there behind the 24 and the 17. I think we were all very equal at that point in time. Just couldn't get by one another.

Jimmie’s crew readies the car in the garage prior to the race. (James Drew photo)

“It came down to pit stops. I thought the race was going to come down to pit stops and who got a good restart. Kind of turned out that way, although the four tires I think helped us more than anything. I got a good start and got around Bowyer at one and two. Was behind Jeff, chasing him. I'd been chasing him all day. Wasn't sure I'd get by him. Just kept putting a lot of pressure on him, hoping he'd make a mistake, hoping I could get him to overdrive his car and make it tight or do something wrong.

“Finally I was able to get inside of him and committed to trying the slide job on him in three and four, was able to get by.”

Winning crew chief Chad Knaus explained the problems the crew had. “We didn't start the weekend off like we wanted to, qualifying as poorly as we did. Pit selection and track position was a bit of a hindrance at the beginning. The car was ill‑handling to say the least at the beginning. Jimmie manned up at the beginning, even with the car handling as poorly as what it was.